Petersburg Softball won both inaugural Pendleton Community Bank Softball Alumni Championships against the Yellow Jackets with the scores of 6-4 (30+) and 13-6 (Under 30) in front of a huge crowd in Petersburg.
This event is a special fundraiser to benefit the Vikings Softball program this season and next year when Moorefield hosts the games, the proceeds will be given to the Yellow Jackets.
Moorefield Yellow Jackets Softball (30+) Alumni squad was comprised of: Angie Fisher (2002), Mandy See (2003), Jodie Sites Witmer (2004), Chelsi “Cheez” Wratchford (2005), Morgan “Mo” Neal (2005), Morgan Shockey Judy (2006), Ashly “Shortie” Sites (2007), Brittany “B Wright” Kiser (2007), Heather Ours (2007), Bridget Ours Sions (2008), Sam Markwood (2009) and Crystal Simmons Crites (2011).
Petersburg Vikings Softball (30+) Alumni team included five original players from the 2001 first team in school history: Mary Beth Judy Cook (2002), Megan Scott DiBennedetto (2002), Janel Hedrick Henritz (2002), Heather Hedrick Adams (2003) and Ashley Barr Riggleman (2003). These members were joined by: Kaitlyn Barr Kesner (2005), Whitney Scott (2007), Stephanie Judy (2006), Kayla Watts Bryant (2008), Danielle Sites Sisler (2009), Meagan Wetzel Odell (2010), Kasey Kessel Bell (2010), Rachel Thompson Judy (2010) and Whitney Lowe Cook (2011).
Moorefield Softball (30+) opened the game with a three-run home run blasted by Bridget Sions in the first inning.
“It was so fun. To come back with some of the girls I played with and ones I looked up to; to play the sport we love was so much fun. It was the best time, but I know we will be feeling it tomorrow. I couldn’t ask for a more fun game. [HR] Awesome. I wasn’t expecting it, but it felt good. Just running around the bases about killed me. I had a hard time getting into a groove, but Crystal [Crites] did an amazing job behind the plate keeping stuff in front of her and working with me. Overall it was fantastic. I am glad Bubba [Hedrick] reached out to me and organized it. I look forward to next year,” Moorefield Softball’s Bridget Sions commented.
The Vikings were kept at bay for four innings with Sions pitching, but eventually rallied for a 4-3 lead.
Moorefield answered with one run scored by Crystal Simmons Crites, then Petersburg added two runs in the sixth inning for the win.
Moorefield Softball catcher Crystal Crites was the recipient of the “Still Got It MVP” award for the First Annual Softball Alumni Games Petersburg vs Moorefield (30+).
“It was like I never left; just like riding a bike except for the day after,” Moorefield Softball’s Crystal Crites said.
The “Most Entertaining Player” award for the Yellow Jackets was Morgan Shockey Judy.
Moorefield Yellow Jackets Softball (Under 30) team included: Ashley Brininger (2014), Kelsey Smith (2014), Serena Redman (2016), Hanna Carlson Helmick (2020), Anna Riggleman (2020), Lauren Arbaugh Fischer (2021), Remington Hinkle (2021), Hannah Snyder (2025) and Seanna Heavner (2025).
Petersburg Vikings Softball (Under 30) squad consisted of: Marley Thompson Strawderman (2014), Megan Cook (2014), Tori Weasonforth Myers (2014), Cassidy Hedrick (2016), Halie Swick (2016), Lexie Earle (2017), Alexis Goldizen (2017), Hannah Smith (2018), Mackenzie Weasonforth (2019), Hannah Moyers (2020), Katie Koontz (2020), Carly Cooper (2020), Kimmie Minnich (2021), Lauren Alt (2021), Brooklyn Rohrbaugh (2022), Mickala Brill (2022) and Sissy Kitzmiller (2022).
“It was awesome to come back and play with my teammates. I love all of them,” Petersburg’s Halie Swick noted.
Moorefield Softball (Under 30) starting pitcher was Hannah Carlson Helmick.
The fans were excited to see NCAA Division I George Mason University alumna Carly Cooper pitching in the circle for the Vikings (Under 30) and teammates nicknamed her “D1”.
Cooper mentioned the bench is supposed to go out for warm-ups during the game, but a teammate reminded her this wasn’t Division 1 and just an alumni game.
Petersburg players chanted Little League songs during the contest.
One Vikings player got on base and said ‘don’t worry, I’m not stealing’ with a huge smile which caused Moorefield first baseman Serena Redman to immediately laugh.
Petersburg Softball (Under 30) took a 3-0 lead early in the game which included an RBI double by Cooper, Koontz RBI sacrifice fly and Earle RBI single.
Hinkle recorded the first hit (single) for the Yellow Jackets off of Cooper in the second inning.
Moorefield Softball (Under 30) got on the scoreboard in the third inning as Heavner drew a walk and scored on a passed ball.
The Vikings answered with bases loaded as Hedrick notched a two-run producing fielder’s choice error in the bottom of the third inning, then Moyers smacked a two-RBI double for a 7-1 lead.
The Yellow Jackets responded in the fourth inning with their own bases loaded opportunity as Ashley Brininger smashed a bases clearing triple and Lauren Fischer hit an RBI single for a 7-5 score.
Petersburg increased the lead and finished with a 13-6 victory.
Moorefield Softball’s Lauren Fischer was given the “Most Entertaining Player” award for the Under 30 game.
Moorefield Softball’s Anna Riggleman was named the “Still Got It MVP” award recipient for the Under 30 game.
“I had a lot of fun. I couldn’t resist making those diving plays, but I will feel it tomorrow,” Moorefield Softball MVP Anna Riggleman remarked.
Petersburg Softball’s Cassidy Hedrick won the “Most Entertaining Player” award for the Under 30 game.
Petersburg Softball’s Carly Cooper received the “Still Got It MVP” award for the Under 30 game.
The First Annual Softball Alumni Games exceeded expectations with the crowd and overall excitement.
